A user on the Tesla Motors Club forum has noticed that in a recent Latrobe City Council meeting, it was mentioned that the Eurobodella Shire Council had contacted Latrobe (and presumably other local government authorities in the area) about a South-East Electric Highway, which goes from Melbourne to Sydney via the coastal route (Gippsland and NSW South Coast) including connecting Canberra via the Kings Highway.

Hi All,
I am more than happy to assist in any way possible.
I especially recommend charging stations with credit card facilities.
Feel free to email me on electricvehiclescanberra@gmail.com
Regards,
Mark

I am talking with Bega Valley Shire Council, & Snowy/Cooma Monaro Council, about supporting the ev highway, as per this initiative.
As well, I am pushing for *at least* putting in 32A 3phase/5 pin sockets (7kW ~50km/hr) between Cann River (where I *hope* the AEVA socket is being installed at the Bakery), Cooma Showgrounds, and the ACT. They are daunted by the cost of DC EVSE, but I have the impression that the 32A option is a good toe-in-water (and would allow my i3 to get to Canberra, where I can use the Tritium 50kW DC ‘Rapid Charger’!)
There are already sockets at Bega and Cooma Showgrounds. I am suggesting further 7kW sockets at Bombala, Nimmitabel, Bemboka, Bredbo and Michelago.

To clarify to some folks, The Zoe (and Kangoo ZE, I think) can use 22kW charging, through a standard Type2 plug. As you say CHAdeMO is fine on 3phase, if you have an adapter (Tesla) or socket (iMiev, LEAF). Many other vehicles have only up to 7kW on-board charging, ie one phase at 32A, hence the original 32A socket distribution project.

I am talking with Bega Valley Shire Council, & Snowy/Cooma Monaro Council, about supporting the ev highway, as per this initiative.... Cooma Showgrounds...

Thanks for this work, Peter. The Cooma showground seems to be a few blocks from the cafes and park one might want to spend some time (and money, perhaps even more than a penny) at. The Tesla chargers are between the council building and Coles, across the road from the central park and close to many cafes. There is a substantial transformer at the entrance to the carpark. Is there any chance that the council could put the charger next to their office?

Speaking of 3-phase, this is the current distribution of 3-phase sockets along that route (the orange markers are DC fast chargers and the green ones are 3-phase). I've disabled 10A/15A, Tesla HPWCs, etc. from the view:

Worth noting that TOCA committee approved expenditure for a few more 3-phase outlets at their last meeting, one of which was at Cann River. After Cann River is in, the biggest gap would be from Melbourne to Sale (219 km). Which is not what you would expect the biggest gap to be, there are so many biggish towns in the area!

It would not take much get some of the other gaps in this route populated with 3-phase outlets, it would only take a couple of Tesla owners from each of Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra to spend a weekend driving around and you'd find enough willing sites. Maybe less than a month to arrange installation.

If the councils are willing to be site hosts, that's great! It would be quick and easy to do, and every extra site helps. But it looks like this project is intended to be about fast chargers - e.g. sites suitable for EVs when they hit the mainstream. Mum, Dad and the kids aren't going to want to park their i-Pace in a showgrounds for a couple of hours and muck around with adaptors. We are, of course

Update:
The Cooma Showgrounds are OK to use, and I have put on PlugShare. Yes, it is a healthy walk from the shops, but it’s all I can find at the moment. There is a vague plan for an EVSE at Centennial park, in town, but Council contact Jane didn’t sound too positive about it happening.
I have contacted Cooma Coles manager. He was polite but not enthusiastic. Asked for a proposal from AEVA for consideration. I will follow up, in a while.
Re South Coast EV Highway.
Yes, Charles, the other two pages are from Michael Shorter’s letter of Dec 1st - I just thought it might be convenient for anyone interested, rather than reading through the 100+ pages of Council Minutes.
I called him. Most Councils have replied, and supported. He’s following up with a couple. The big problem is they have no funds, yet. Looking to business and commercial interests to fill in the gaps, if no gomint grants forthcoming.
BVSC has replied, in the affirmative, but I think that’s it. Following up with two interested councillors.
Speaking with Eden Monaro MP, Mike Kelly next Thursday. Local state Member (Minister for Roads) Andrew Constance, is up to his armpits in alligators, so probably keep powder dry there, for a while.
I spoke on ABC SE local radio yesterday which went well. It’s on their fb page.
NRMA project - beans may be spilled at the April AEVA meeting at Baulkham Hills.
All good.

Charles, “After Cann River is in, the biggest gap would be from Melbourne to Sale (219 km). Which is not what you would expect the biggest gap to be, there are so many biggish towns in the area!”
I have dropped a 3 ph socket set into Cann River, but haven’t visited to see if it’s installed.

I have proven that it is possible to use Tesla Destination Chargers with my T2>T1 adapter, so if you turn them on, on PlugShare, it looks even better. There are a couple between Cann River and Mlb.

My goal is to close the gaps north from Cann River: Bombala, Nimmitabel, Bredbo and Michelago.
Braidwood would be good, to get from Batemans Bay up to Canberra, via Bungendore....

I agree on the iPace challenge - but I’m looking after myself in the short term, filling in the gaps to 100km, in light of the dearth of DCFC. We all need to push for more capacity, in more places, more easily...
Cheers
P

Went to Bombala yesterday. Used the 5 pin 32A socket at the Showgrounds. It went fine. They didn't know how to accept payment, when I offered at the Council offices. They think that both Cooma and Jindabyne look like getting NRMA DCRC.
I put Bombala on PlugShare.
It looks like a cafe owner at Bemboka will also put in a 32A socket, and at Michelago (single phase only).
Cann River contacted and they expect to be install soon “after Easter”.